Vinyl pressings
by The Silencers · 1988
A Blues For Buddha was first pressed on vinyl in 1988. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
8 pressings came out in 1988, the album's first year, in 8 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
C 4729 A 1 LOVE, PEACESide A runout stamped/etched, variant 1
C 4729 B 1 AND JAMSide B runout stamped/etched, variant 1
C-4729 A-1 III LOVE, PEACESide A runout stamped/etched, variant 2
C-4729 B-1 II AND ... JAMSide B runout stamped/etched, variant 2
C-4729 A-1 III LOVE, PEACE... 70137 A' 031Runout side 1, stamped and etched
C-4729 B-1 70137 B' (F deleted).... AND JAM. (020,deleted with X) 031Runout side 2, stamped and etched
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Australia | RCA VPL1 6799First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Brazil | RCA 150.7006First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Canada | RCA PL 71859First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Europe | RCA PL 71859 / RCA PL 71859-8First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Germany | RCA C-4729LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing | LP, Test Pressing · Test pressing |
| 1988 | Greece | RCA PL 71859 / RCA RCLP 70137First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1988 | Portugal | RCA PL 71859First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | Spain | RCA PL 71859 / BMG Ariola España PL 71859First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1988 | US | RCA 9960-1-RFirst yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1989 | Mexico | RCA LAE-856LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Spain | RCA PL-71859LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Spain | RCA PL-71859LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
12 vinyl pressings of A Blues For Buddha are listed here, from 10 countries, released between 1988 and 1989.
The earliest pressings are from 1988, in Europe, US, Australia, Brazil and more. One of them is RCA PL 71859.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use PL 71859, 9960-1-R, VPL1 6799, 150.7006) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, C 4729 A 1 LOVE, PEACE and C 4729 B 1 AND JAM. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
